What Is the Short Haul Exception for FMCSA
What is the FMCSA Short-Haul Exception?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) short-haul exception is a set of regulations that allows certain commercial drivers to be exempt from some of the hours-of-service (HOS) rules that apply to long-haul truckers. This exemption is designed to provide greater flexibility for drivers who operate within a limited geographic area and can return to their normal work reporting location at the end of each duty period.
Under the short-haul exception, drivers are permitted to remain on duty for up to 14 hours, with a maximum driving time of 11 hours. Additionally, these drivers are not required to take the mandatory 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving that is typically required for most commercial drivers.
One of the most significant benefits of the short-haul exception is that qualifying drivers are not required to maintain records of duty status (RODS) or use electronic logging devices (ELDs). Instead, they can simply record their start and end times, as well as total hours worked each day, on a timecard that is kept at their normal work reporting location.
Who Qualifies for the Short-Haul Exception?
To qualify for the FMCSA short-haul exception, a commercial driver must meet the following criteria:
Operate within a 150 air-mile radius: The driver must conduct all their driving within a 150 air-mile radius (172.6 statute miles) of their normal work reporting location.
Return to work reporting location: The driver must return to their normal work reporting location at the end of each duty period.
14-hour workday limit: The driver cannot exceed a 14-hour workday, which includes a maximum of 11 hours of driving time.
10-hour off-duty requirement: The driver must have at least 10 consecutive hours off duty before starting a new duty period (8 hours for passenger-carrying drivers).
Maintain time records: The motor carrier must retain timecards for each qualifying driver for at least 6 months, showing the start and end times of each duty period, total hours worked per day, and total time on duty for the preceding 7 days.
It’s important to note that even short-haul drivers must be fully qualified under the FMCSA regulations, which includes having valid licenses, current medical cards, and compliant motor vehicle records (MVRs).
What are the Key Components of the Short-Haul Exception?
The short-haul exception consists of several key components that define its scope and requirements. These include:
150 air-mile radius: This is the maximum distance a driver can operate from their normal work reporting location while still qualifying for the short-haul exception.
14-hour workday: Short-haul drivers are allowed to remain on duty for up to 14 hours, which includes both driving and non-driving tasks.
11-hour driving limit: Within the 14-hour workday, short-haul drivers can drive for a maximum of 11 hours.
No 30-minute break requirement: Unlike long-haul drivers, short-haul drivers are not required to take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving time.
Timecard records: Instead of maintaining detailed records of duty status or using ELDs, short-haul drivers can record their hours on a simple timecard system kept at their normal work reporting location.
| Component | Short-Haul Exception |
|---|---|
| Operating Radius | 150 air miles |
| Workday Limit | 14 hours |
| Driving Limit | 11 hours |
| 30-Minute Break | Not required |
| Record Keeping | Timecards |
How Does the Short-Haul Exception Differ from Standard Hours of Service Rules?
The short-haul exception provides several key differences compared to the standard hours of service rules that apply to most commercial drivers:
No ELD requirement: Short-haul drivers are exempt from the requirement to use electronic logging devices (ELDs) to track their hours of service.
Simplified record keeping: Instead of maintaining detailed records of duty status, short-haul drivers can use a simple timecard system to record their start and end times and total hours worked each day.
Longer workday: Short-haul drivers are allowed to remain on duty for up to 14 hours, compared to the standard 13-hour limit for property-carrying drivers.
No 30-minute break: Short-haul drivers are not required to take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving time, which is mandatory for most other commercial drivers.
| Rule | Standard HOS | Short-Haul Exception |
|---|---|---|
| ELD Requirement | Required | Exempt |
| Record Keeping | RODS/ELD | Timecards |
| Workday Limit | 13 hours (property) | 14 hours |
| 30-Minute Break | Required after 8 hours driving | Not required |
What are the Benefits of Using the Short-Haul Exception?
The short-haul exception offers several benefits for both drivers and motor carriers:
Increased flexibility: The 14-hour workday and lack of a 30-minute break requirement allow short-haul drivers more flexibility in scheduling their duties and completing their work.
Reduced administrative burden: By using a simple timecard system instead of ELDs or detailed RODS, short-haul drivers and their employers can reduce the administrative burden associated with hours of service compliance.
Cost savings: Motor carriers can save money by not having to purchase and maintain ELDs for their short-haul drivers.
Improved efficiency: The short-haul exception can help improve efficiency for drivers who make multiple short trips within a single day, as they can take advantage of the additional time to complete their deliveries.
What are the Limitations and Restrictions of the Short-Haul Exception?
While the short-haul exception provides benefits, it also comes with certain limitations and restrictions:
Geographic limitation: Drivers must operate within a 150 air-mile radius of their normal work reporting location to qualify for the exception.
Daily return requirement: Short-haul drivers must return to their normal work reporting location at the end of each duty period.
No extension for adverse driving conditions: Unlike long-haul drivers, short-haul drivers cannot extend their driving window by up to 2 hours when encountering adverse driving conditions.
Timecard retention: Motor carriers must retain timecards for each qualifying driver for at least 6 months.
Driver qualification requirements: Short-haul drivers must still meet all driver qualification requirements, such as having valid licenses and current medical cards.
How Do You Ensure Compliance with Short-Haul Exception Requirements?
To ensure compliance with the short-haul exception requirements, motor carriers and drivers should take the following steps:
Verify driver eligibility: Confirm that each driver meets the criteria for the short-haul exception, including operating within a 150 air-mile radius and returning to their normal work reporting location at the end of each duty period.
Maintain accurate timecards: Ensure that drivers accurately record their start and end times, as well as total hours worked each day, on their timecards.
Monitor driving distances: Use GPS tracking or other methods to verify that drivers are operating within the 150 air-mile radius limit.
Retain records: Keep driver timecards on file for at least 6 months, as required by the FMCSA.
Provide training: Educate drivers and dispatchers on the requirements and limitations of the short-haul exception to ensure compliance.
Conduct regular audits: Periodically review driver timecards and other records to identify any potential violations of the short-haul exception rules.
By following these steps, motor carriers can help ensure that their short-haul operations remain compliant with FMCSA regulations and avoid potential penalties or liability.
